Natural Mom Monday: The Breast Feeding Break-up

I think I've reached my limit. I really wasn't sure this day would ever come. I mean, I thought he would be kicking ME to the curb before I was ever ready to see it end.

But I think it's time. Time to break-up with my baby.

Shit, he knows its coming.

OK, since little Nolan is only 19 months I can't quite pack up his belongings and send him off to his new place with clean sheets and meals for a month. That'll be next week. However, I have come to the conclusion that the relationship he has with my breasts is no longer working for me.

I used to LOVE nursing. It was this special time where my baby and I could bond over a warm beverage. It was like our own coffee talk.

"Talk amongst yourselves, any topic will do"

It was great relationship, that was mutually beneficial. He got the comfort, nourishment, and closeness a child can only get from his mother (no offense dads or grandmas). And I got the satisfaction of knowing my baby was getting the best stuff in town--antibodies to help his immune system and all the "good" fat to keep him plump and healthy. Not to mention those 500 extra calories mama got to burn with each feeding, now that's what I call a WIN-WIN!

Birthday parties, long car rides, sporting events or trips to the supermarket were never a concern. Since I always carried my "momma milk" fully stocked and ready to go anytime he needed it. I never had to worry about heating up bottles or finding "clean" water. Breast feeding had become the most convenient, ecomonical, and personally satisfying choice I had made, this 3rd time around.

How can we say good bye to the good times?

SO why do I want to stop, you ask? Simply put..I'm touched out!

If you are a mom, or a woman with a very clingy partner, you know exactly what I'm talking about.

In my case, it comes after a few days of my 6 year old using me as a chair and/or jungle gym 24/7, in addition to a toddler who wants nothing more than to nurse all through the night, while I'm on the toilet, or making dinner.

I don't want to sound like a callous bitch---but I'm SO sick of being grouped, fondled, and hung on by my children I'm about to crack!!!

That doesn't sound very "holistic" to me Nacia. Thank goodness I never claimed to be perfect.

I love my kids more than life itself. I would die for them, clean up poop for them, or dress a Power Ranger, if it made them happy. But there comes a point in a nursing mom-baby relationship when one person is on a booby shaped "Cloud 9", and the other is just feeling like a worn out cow. (I let you figure out which one I am.)

Here's the issue now....How do you ween your child from nursing (or at least night ween) without it being traumatic?

I asked this question a few weeks ago on Granolaville's Facebook page and I was BOMBARDED with loving tips, tricks, and experiences from my fellow crunchy mommas. The general consensus was consistency and commitment, two things I have been SEVERELY lacking.

It's just SO easy to give in a slap a boob in his mouth when he becomes fussy that I'm dreading the alternative....letting him cry.

Now I'm not opposed to a few tears being shed, but when I hear the soft whispers of "peees, peees" and the sign language gesture to go along with it, I cave.

I will say that I DID get him to fall asleep a few nights in a row without nursing, but an hour or two later he was back for more.

So it's time. It's time I take back my key, pack up his shit, and tell him its OVA! I know he'll come crawling back, begging me for just "1 more time". He'll promise to change, only nursing when its night night time or when he has a boo-boo.

I have to stand strong, I have to make a clean break and let him know the gravy train (milk train?) has ended. But how do you have the "It's not YOU, it's ME conversation with someone this damn cute?

Tonight I'm trying something my Holistic Mom friend suggested---- letting him sleep with daddy. We did it once before. I slept in my bed and my husband slept with Nolan on the couch. And ya know what???? He slept THE WHOLE NIGHT THROUGH.

I'm hoping after a week of doing this he'll at least be able to get through the night without nursing. Then this lady will get a normal nights rest and won't be SO tense about being a self-service fountain during the day.

Baby steps.

Has this method worked for you? What's your advice for a successful breast feeding breakup?

Breaking-up is hard to do in Granolaville,

Posted in: breast feeding,mind,natural mom monday,night weening